Thailand Deports Dozens of Uyghurs to China Despite Risk of Persecution
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World
February 28, 2025 17:42
bangkok - Thailand faces backlash after secretly deporting Uyghur men to China, where they risk torture and death.
Deportation of Uyghurs to China Sparks Controversy
Thailand is under scrutiny for deporting 45 Uyghur men to China, where they face the threat of torture and persecution. The men had fled China in 2014 and were detained in Thailand under harsh conditions for over a decade. One of them, 49-year-old Aziz Abdullah, died in dire conditions while in custody.
Despite pleas from the Uyghurs and warnings from international bodies, Thai officials deported the men after Beijing's request. The move has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including the UN Human Rights Commission and the US government.
The Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim minority group from Xinjiang, China, have long faced repression and discrimination. China's crackdown on the Uyghurs, widely documented as a violation of human rights, has led to mass detentions and reports of torture.
The deportation of the Uyghurs highlights Thailand's disregard for human rights and has raised concerns about their safety upon return to China.